Moving to New Zealand: how to plan a smooth move to NZ

Is New Zealand a good place to live?

New Zealand is a good place to live due to its high living standards. Citizens enjoy stunning natural environments with beaches, mountains and lush forests. Plus, outstanding education standards, forward-thinking environmental policies and a strong focus on work-life balance. With universal healthcare and a dynamic arts, film and outdoor culture, you'll never want to leave!

Immigrants are

27.4% of New Zealand's population

Source: stats.govt.nz

Cost of living in New Zealand

New Zealand offers expats an excellent standard of living. However, it comes at a relatively high cost, especially in cities like Auckland and Wellington. So, it's essential to budget well for housing, utilities, transport and food before your big move to the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Can I retire in New Zealand?

Yes, you can retire in New Zealand, but it is costly, and you must meet specific visa requirements. Options include the Parent Retirement Resident Visa, which requires an investment of NZ$1,000,000 (around US$618,865), and the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa, which requires an investment of NZ$750,000 (around US$464,149). Both visas also demand living expenses of NZ$500,000 (around US$309,433) and a stable income.

_{*prices accurate as of 2025}

Cheapest place to live in New Zealand

The cheapest place to live in New Zealand is Whanganui, a small city known for its affordable housing and lower overall cost of living. Located on the North Island, Whanganui offers a more relaxed lifestyle compared to larger cities like Auckland and Wellington, with a scenic river setting and growing arts scene.

Other budget-friendly areas include Invercargill in the South Island and Gisborne, both of which offer cheaper rents, house prices, and daily living costs while providing easy access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

Renting in New Zealand

Start by researching the areas you're most interested in while still in your home country to understand prices, transport, local amenities and crime rates. Rental comparison websites like Trade Me Property, Realestate.co.nz, and OneRoof provide detailed listings and prices. The cost of rent is advertised weekly as standard across the country. For more affordable options, look for properties managed by community housing providers, who offer rentals to eligible low-to-middle-income tenants at below-market rates.

You can directly contact landlords or go through property agents who act on behalf of landlords. Most properties are offered unfurnished, but there are a growing number of furnished properties available, especially in bigger cities like Wellington or Auckland.

Don't be tempted to accept somewhere based solely on an online listing. Visiting the property in person is essential to understanding its condition, layout, and neighbourhood. Ask the landlord or property manager detailed questions about the home, its building, the tenancy terms, and any other concerns you may have.

Once you find a property you like, you must complete an application with references from previous landlords — the more, the better! You'll also need proof of income and identification via your work visa and photographic ID. If you are yet to receive your first paycheck, a letter from your employer detailing your salary and contract length should suffice. Be prepared for credit and background checks as part of the process.

Top tip: if you have no rental history, you can use character references from an employer or someone of "good standing" unrelated to you.

Signing a tenancy agreement is a legal requirement in New Zealand. It outlines important details such as the agreed rent, the bond, tenancy duration, and rules regarding pets, subletting, and maintenance. Once signed, you'll make your first rent payment in advance, typically 1-2 weeks' rent worth, and a bond of 4 weeks' rent, lodged with Tenancy Services until the end of your tenancy.

There are two types of tenancy agreements:

• Fixed-term agreements: set for a specific period, usually at least six months.
• Periodic agreements: continues until the tenant or landlord gives notice to end it within an agreed amount of notice, usually 63 or 90 days for landlords and 21 days for tenants.

Before moving in, carefully inspect the property, documenting any existing damage with photos. The landlord should provide a condition report to compare the property's condition at the end of the tenancy.

Lastly, understand your rights and responsibilities under New Zealand's Residential Tenancies Act, designed to protect both tenants and landlords.

Buying a house in New Zealand as a foreigner

New Zealand has strict rules on who can and cannot purchase property. Non-residents, including those on temporary work or student visas, generally cannot buy existing residential homes. Exceptions include new-build properties in a large apartment complex or those with Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval. OIO may approve permanent residents, long-term visa holders or investors who can demonstrate significant benefits to New Zealand, such as economic development or job creation.

Before researching the New Zealand property market, work out a budget to determine your home loan (mortgage) affordability. Be prepared for costs like the deposit (usually at least 30% of the property's value for non-residents) and additional taxes or duties. Foreign buyers in New Zealand are subject to a Residential Land Withholding Tax if classified as "offshore persons" who sell a property after a certain amount of time, generally five years. Further costs include Land Information Memorandum (LIM) reports and building inspections to determine the property's condition.

Visit as many homes as possible using popular websites like Trade Me Property and Homes.co.nz, and ask the estate agent detailed questions. Consider suitable local amenities, proximity to work and schools and transport options.

Securing a home loan as a foreigner can be a challenge. Most New Zealand banks require a good credit score and proof of income. Popular banks that work with foreign buyers include Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), ASB Bank, and Westpac. Obtaining home loan pre-approval (an in-principal mortgage) is crucial to understand the maximum amount you can borrow and any special conditions that may apply.

Once you decide to make an offer and it's accepted, you'll need a conveyancing lawyer to manage legalities, ensure compliance with foreign ownership rules and more. Hiring building inspectors to assess the property's condition is essential in the wake of New Zealand's leaky building history.

Finally, pay the deposit and complete all necessary legal checks. Your conveyancing lawyer will ensure everything complies with New Zealand's property laws and complete the property transfer on settlement day.

Is it hard to move to New Zealand?

Moving to New Zealand can be straightforward or challenging, depending on your nationality, work experience, education, family connections and whether you intend to work or study.

Another key consideration is how to transport your possessions to New Zealand. The easiest option is to hire an international removals company that can provide a self-loading container like the Seven Seas Worldwide MoveCube®.

How to get a job in New Zealand

Before searching for a job, you must understand your New Zealand visa requirements.

Conditions may include:

• Not being allowed to work,
• A limit on how many hours you can work,
• Being tied to one employer or location,
• Being tied to a specific sector or skill level,
• Limits on starting your own business.

The most common work visas include the Essential Skills Work Visa for skilled foreigners whose roles cannot be filled by natives and the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa for workers with in-demand skills. Ensure your qualifications are recognised in New Zealand, which is especially relevant in healthcare and education.

Focus your search on industries with strong demand. Thriving sectors in New Zealand include healthcare, construction, IT, education, and agriculture, plus growing sectors like renewable energy, film production, and tech start-ups. Job search sites like Seek, Trade Me and Indeed are fantastic resources for current available roles. Consider using a local recruitment agency like Hays or Randstad, which can offer specific insights into your field.

Tailor your CV to fit the relatively laid-back Kiwi attitude by keeping it concise, highlighting relevant skills, and avoiding overly formal language. Include a well-crafted cover letter that shows your understanding of the company and why you believe you're the ideal candidate for the role. Ensure your application reflects New Zealand's way of working: a positive attitude, open communication, teamwork and a healthy work-life balance.

Considering that an estimated 70% of jobs in New Zealand do not appear on job sites, networking is a vital chance to open new doors. Attend industry events, join LinkedIn groups relevant to your field or participate in community meet-ups.

Be prepared for a competitive job market, especially in highly populated cities like Auckland and Wellington. Be persistent, apply for as many roles as possible, and you'll undoubtedly land a job matching your skills and aspirations in no time!

Fun facts about New Zealand

1. Afraid of snakes? Book your flights now! New Zealand is one of the few places in the world without native snake species, and its strict biosecurity rules make it illegal to bring any into the country.
2. New Zealand might look small compared to its Australian neighbour, but it's surprisingly large. Covering 103,483 square miles, it's 10% bigger than the United Kingdom. Despite its vast size, New Zealand only has around 5 million residents, in stark contrast to the UK's 67 million.
3. Despite the much-loved nickname, the kiwi fruit isn't native to New Zealand. Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry, it was renamed after the kiwi bird in the 1950s by clever marketers who wanted a more local name.
4. New Zealand is home to around 25 million sheep, making it one of the most sheep-populated countries on the planet. With a sheep-to-human ratio of five to one, we'd be hopelessly outnumbered if sheep ever decided to stage an uprising!
5. Baldwin Street in Dunedin holds the Guinness World Record as the steepest street, with a gradient of 34.8%. Visitors challenge themselves to walk or run up the popular tourist attraction. Events like the annual Jaffa race, where people roll thousands of chocolate candies down the hill, add to its quirky charm.
6. Auckland is affectionately known as the City of Sails. With 135,000 boats and yachts per capita, it has the highest number of private ships in the world. Both city harbours are forever dotted with sails, reflecting the local passion for sailing and water sports.
7. The Māori language, once at risk of fading away, has made a powerful comeback. Te Reo Māori is increasingly woven into official signs, government communication, media reporting and education, reflecting a national effort to revitalise the language.
8. Hobbiton, the movie set built for The Lord of the Rings trilogies, has become a significant tourist attraction. It offers visitors a chance to enter Middle-earth's fictional world, complete with hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and pastoral landscapes.
9. The small Kiwi town of Kawakawa is famous for its colourful public toilets designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The restrooms, complete with vibrant mosaics, glass bottles and quirky sculptures, have become one of the most celebrated attractions in New Zealand.
10. In 1989, the small town of Whangamomona, frustrated with local government changes, declared itself a republic. Independence is celebrated every two years with a Republic Day festival, including passport stamps and a line-up of eccentric presidential candidates.